Rail fastener

Abstract

A fastening device includes a base including a top surface; a first fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and including a plurality of first fastening elements, each of the first fastening elements including a fastening feature, the fastening feature of at least some of the first fastening elements extending in a first direction; and a second fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and comprising a plurality of second fastening elements, each of the second fastening elements including a fastening feature, the fastening features of all of the second fastening elements extending in a second direction that is angled with respect to the first direction, the second fastening field divided from the first fastening field by a dividing line.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fastening device comprising:
 a base comprising a top surface; 
 a first fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and comprising a plurality of first fastening elements, each of the first fastening elements comprising a fastening feature, the fastening feature of at least some of the first fastening elements extending in a first direction; 
 a second fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and comprising a plurality of second fastening elements, each of the second fastening elements comprising a fastening feature, the fastening features of all of the second fastening elements extending in a second direction that is angled with respect to the first direction, the second fastening field divided from the first fastening field by a dividing line; and 
 a wall extending from the top surface of the base and defining a wall height that is greater than a fastener height of each of the first fastening elements and greater than a fastener height of each of the second fastening elements, wherein the wall is positioned between a side end of the fastening device and a one of the first fastening field and the second fastening field. 
 
     
     
       2. The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein a width of the first fastening field and a width of the second fastening field are substantially equal. 
     
     
       3. The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening feature of each of the first fastening elements and the fastening feature of each of the second fastening elements are hooks. 
     
     
       4. The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first fastening elements extends in a row arranged in a transverse direction across the first fastening field and each of the second fastening elements extends in a row arranged in a transverse direction across the second fastening field, each of the first fastening elements in a row and each of the second fastening elements in a row joined by a joining rib defining a rib height equal to at least half of a fastener height of the first fastening elements and the second fastening elements. 
     
     
       5. The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening features of all of the first fastening elements extend in the first direction. 
     
     
       6. The fastening device of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction is opposite from the first direction. 
     
     
       7. A fastening system comprising:
 a fastening device comprising:
 a base comprising a top surface; 
 a first fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and comprising a plurality of first fastening elements, each of the first fastening elements comprising a fastening feature, the fastening feature of at least some of the first fastening elements extending in a first direction; 
 a second fastening field extending from the top surface of the base and comprising a plurality of second fastening elements, each of the second fastening elements comprising a fastening feature, the fastening feature of all of the second fastening elements extending in a second direction that is angled with respect to the first direction, the second fastening field divided from the first fastening field by a dividing line; and 
 a wall extending from the top surface of the base and defining a wall height that is greater than a fastener height of each of the first fastening elements and greater than a fastener height of each of the second fastening elements; and 
 
 a panel comprising an inner surface comprising a mating fastener material, the mating fastener material configured to secure the panel to the first fastening field and the second fastening field. 
 
     
     
       8. The fastening system of  claim 7 , further comprising a fastening device holder defining a channel sized to receive the fastening device at one end of the fastening device holder. 
     
     
       9. The fastening system of  claim 8 , wherein the fastening device holder is angled with respect to a central portion of the panel when the panel is pulled taut over the fastening device. 
     
     
       10. The fastening system of  claim 7 , further comprising a plurality of walls, each wall extending from the top surface of the base and defining a wall height that is greater than a fastener height of each of the first fastening elements and greater than a fastener height of each of the second fastening elements, the plurality of walls distributed between a first end of the fastening device and a second end of the fastening device. 
     
     
       11. The fastening system of  claim 7 , further comprising a pair of walls, each wall extending from the top surface of the base and defining a wall height that is greater than a fastener height of each of the first fastening elements and greater than a fastener height of each of the second fastening elements, a first wall of the pair of walls positioned between a first side end of the fastening device and the first fastening field and a second wall of the pair of walls positioned between a second side end distal from the first side end and the second fastening field. 
     
     
       12. The fastening system of  claim 11 , further comprising a third wall extending from the top surface of the base and defining a wall height that is greater than a fastener height of each of the first fastening elements and greater than a fastener height of each of the second fastening elements, the third wall positioned between the first wall and the second wall.